Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41280279›Full record

ReviewSynthetic and systems biotechnology2026

Engineering genetic elements for microbial protein expression systems: Advances, challenges, applications, and prospects.

Xiaoqian Li, Cuifang Ye, Tao Liu, Shiyu Li, Mengyu Zhang, Yao Zhao, Yuanxiang Jin, Jintao Cheng, Guiling Yang, Peiwu Li

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Synthetic and systems biotechnology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Xiaoqian LiKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430062, China.
Cuifang YeKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430062, China.
Tao LiuXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China.
Shiyu LiXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China.
Mengyu ZhangXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China.
Yao ZhaoXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China.
Yuanxiang JinXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China.
Jintao ChengXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China.
Guiling YangXianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China.
Peiwu LiKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430062, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The rising global demand for sustainable protein sources poses critical challenges across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial biotechnology sectors. Microbial expression systems provide scalable and versatile platforms for producing recombinant proteins, including enzymes, therapeutic molecules, and functional food ingredients. These platforms enable efficient biosynthesis of high-value proteins from renewable substrates often via precision fermentation, surpassing conventional methods in yield, cost-efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This review summarizes the genetic regulatory elements that govern gene expression in microbial hosts, with comparative coverage of prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems at transcriptional and translational levels. Key regulatory components, such as promoters, ribosome binding sites (RBS), untranslated regions (UTRs), signal peptides, and terminators, are discussed in the context of host-specific engineering strategies. We highlight advanced engineering approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) assisted sequence design, CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing, and modular combinatorial optimization of genetic elements. Particular attention is given to the integration of high-throughput screening and predictive modeling tools that accelerate the rational design and optimization of microbial production systems. The review also discusses practical applications in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial enzyme production, emphasizing how genetic element engineering bridges fundamental research and biomanufacturing. Finally, key challenges and future prospects are analyzed to guide the development of next-generation microbial cell factories for sustainable protein production and industrial innovation.

Indexed as

Genetic elementsGenetic engineeringMicrobial expression systemProtein applicationRecombinant proteins

Identifiers

PMID41280279
PMCPMC12629926

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.